Former England midfielder Ross Barkley shunned by Nice as he’s ‘left out of their squad for the Europa Conference League knockout stage’, with the 29-year-old facing another career setback after leaving Chelsea in August
- Ross Barkley joined Nice after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent last summer
- He has been an important squad player and made 14 league appearances
- Barkley has reportedly been left out of Nice’s Europa Conference League squad
Ross Barkley is facing yet another career blow this season after being left out of Nice’s squad for the knockout stage of the Europa Conference League, reports from France have said.
The 29-year-old joined Nice after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent at the start of the season and has been an important squad player for them, scoring three times in 14 league games for the side.
Given his regular presence in the side, caretaker manager Didier Digard’s decision not to pick Barkley in the 25-man-squad may come as something of a shock.
Get French Football News report that the former Everton man has been omitted to make space for Badredine Bouanani, a teenaged forward who has made just three appearances for Nice this season.
Barkley could not have been named in their squad for the group stage of the tournament after joining the club too late in the season, but was expected to return to European football for the knockout rounds.
Ross Barkley has reportedly been left out of Nice’s squad for the Europa Conference League knockout rounds
It comes as something if a surprise given the midfielder has made 14 league appearances for the club this season
The midfielder has impressive pedigree in Europe after scoring twice in 12 games on his was to a Europa League winners medal with Chelsea in 2019.
It is not currently known if Nice’s other former Premier League players, such as Aaron Ramsey, Kasper Schmeichel and Nicholas Pepe have been included in the squad, although Pepe is likely to miss out through injury.
Away from European football, Nice have turned their league form around in remarkable fashion in the past few weeks.
They sacked manager Lucien Favre a month ago after being knocked out of the French Cup by a third division side, but have since won five out of six games and risen from 11th to seventh in Ligue 1.
The Eaglets have also scored 15 goals in their last six under new boss Digard and are within three points of the European football places.
Nice will next be in action against Reims, who’s star striker Folarin Balogun is currently the league’s top scorer, next Saturday.
Caretaker boss Didier Digard has taken Nice from 11th to seventh and is unbeaten in his six games in charge
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